What's New In Formula E Season 3 Powertrain?

TECH TALK

Posted on: 27 January, 2017

Formula E is the youngest motorsport today and one that's evolving the fastest. All eyes watching –be it in the stands or on TV, everyone's getting a peek into the future of electric cars. For some, it's the new sport of speed, this time with electric cars; to others, it gives front row seats to watch technology race against time.

Time & technology...

Sparks of change hit the Formula E street circuits each season. Our racecars go through a rugged makeover too. Real players plan for action way before cars hit the grid.

Time & tech wait for no one. Here’s a quick recap:

It is 2014. Ten founding teams start racing in Season 1. All 10 teams get the same spec chassis and spec powertrain. Here's the standard tech pack:

While the permitted energy and power output is unchanged from Season 2, this season will see the cars use more regenerative braking. The rate at which energy can be recovered using via the real axle regen braking has been upped to 150 kW, massive jump from Season 2’s cap at 100 kW.

Battery weighs less than season two due to refurbishment – now at about 320 kg, fitted inside a carbon fibre safety casing, changing the operating temperatures ever so slightly.

So that's the machine on a sheet, we can't wait to see a full season of it on the tracks!

Where can we improve? Vinit explains :

An electric powertrain is only good as its inputs. Good controls-software and great controls-strategies are vital to achieving the best performance from the hardware. Software development is becoming the 'holy grail' of Formula E.

This pursuit of engineering excellence, that's what we call #passioneering.